Backpacking - The Adventure Two

Sunshine Coast Trail - Everything we wish we knew before hiking

A comprehensive "FAQ" of questions we were asking before we hiked, and everything we wish we'd known ahead of time!

A weekend adventure to Peak 5040

Ryan went for an overnight backpacking trip at Peak 5040 with a friend from Ontario. They made the most of the less-than-ideal weather and their patience paid off with a unique sunrise!

Backpacking

Exploring the Fryatt Valley

A hidden gem of an area within Jasper National Park! A 22km trail gives access to the Alpine Club of Canada's Fryatt Creek Hut and let us enjoy a quiet few days exploring some beautiful Rocky Mountain terrain. We had the pristine turquoise lakes and cozy cabin almost entirely to ourselves.

Backpacking

SCT Day 10: Fairview Bay to Saltery Bay

Our final day on the Sunshine Coast Trail... We enjoyed coastal views for our entire 6.5km hike today, starting with a stunning sunrise over the bay. We had such an incredible experience hiking this trail in its entirity from North to South!

Backpacking

SCT Day 9: Golden Stanley to Fairview Bay

Our second-to-last day on the trail - we hiked the most elevation gain and loss, and close to the longest distance in a single day. Up and over the tallest point on the trail, Mount Troubridge. We ran into a group of qPAWS volunteers and learned a lot about the trail!

Backpacking

SCT Day 8: Walt Hill to Golden Stanley

Day 8 on the Sunshine Coast Trail: we woke up to an incredible sunrise, walked along the shores of Lois Lake, and enjoyed a candlelit dinner at Golden Stanley.

Backpacking

SCT Day 7: Elk Lake to Walt Hill Hut

With a planned distance of only 14km, this was to be our shortest hiking day yet! However, the trail had some other plans for us - but we learned a valuable lesson.

Backpacking

SCT Day 6: Tin Hat Mountain to Elk Lake Hut

Day 6 on the nearly 200km Sunshine Coast Trail marked being over halfway, both in time and in distance. We started the day with a phenomenal sunrise from Tin Hat Mountain and ended it with a wonderful surprise at Elk Lake!

Backpacking

SCT Day 5: Confederation Lake to Tin Hat Hut

Our fifth day was dominated by the large descent from Confederation Lake and the bigger climb up to the top of Tin Hat Mountain, carrying up water for the night. But Tin Hat didn't disappoint, the views were incredible!

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SCT Day 4: Haywire Bay to Confederation Lake Hut

We hiked a relatively short 17km today, with our packs being heavy from the previous day's resupply. Highlights include the Inland Lake loop, the cabin on Anthony Island, and swimming & rowboating at Confederation Lake. This was Ryan's favourite hut of the trail!

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SCT Day 3: Sliammon Lake (Kokanee Creek Camp) to Haywire Bay

Our third day on the trail gave us lots of excitement over just 19.5km... From a bear sighting, to burger lunch and picking up our huge 7-day resupply!

Backpacking

SCT Day 2: Manzanita Hut to Sliammon Lake (Kokanee Creek Camp)

A 27km day of hiking brought us from Manzanita Bluffs to Sliammon Lake. We walked through lush coastal forests, past Rievely Pond Hut and multiple creeks, waterfalls, and small camping areas.

Backpacking

SCT Day 1: Sarah Point to Manzanita Hut

Our first day on the Sunshine Coast Trail brought us from Powell River to Sarah Point via 4 wheels, then the 21km from Sarah Point to Manzanita Bluffs Hut on foot.

Backpacking

Cape Chignecto Coastal Loop

For the 2024 September long weekend, we hiked the 52 km Coastal Loop Trail in Cape Chignecto Provincial Park, Nova Scotia. With stunning ocean views, pristine beach camping, and seal sightings - not to mention perfect weather.

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Katie's First Solo Backpacking Trip

My first solo overnight backpacking trip took me around Upper Kananaskis Lake in Peter Lougheed Provincial Park, AB. I talk about how things went and what I learned.

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The Golden Hinde

Vancouver Island's tallest peak, standing at 2195m, had eluded Ryan twice before. At 55+ km return, the summit access trail is a challenge in itself. Read on to see how we fared!

Day Trip

Crater Lake (Smithers, BC)

A rainy, foggy afternoon adventure to Crater Lake on the slopes of Hudson Bay Mountain in Smithers, BC.

Backpacking

Mount Albert Edward & the Castlecrag Loop

The last 3 days of our 9-day Strathcona adventure brought us to 3 summits: Mt Albert Edward, Mt Frink, and Castlecrag Mountain in a single-day loop.

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Cream Lake via Bedwell Lakes Trail

A popular day and overnight hike, the Bedwell Lakes Trail provides access to multiple lakes with both designated and wilderness camping. This trail also provides access to a number of technical summit routes.

Backpacking

King's Peak

A short but steep 19km round trip, King's Peak makes a lovely day trip or overnight. As one of the tallest mountains in Strathcona Park, King's gives a fantastic view!

Backpacking

Mount Myra

One of the most boring-access hikes in Strathcona Park leads to one of the best summit views on Vancouver Island. Mount Myra is certainly a summit to see as a day hike or easy overnighter!

Backpacking

Juan de Fuca Marine Trail

47km of true West Coast wilderness, Juan de Fuca is often described as "West Coast Trail Lite", overshadowed by it's longer brother to the north. But this Island classic has some bite of its own; it may be tougher due to the terrain and lack of easier beach hiking stretches.

Backpacking

Crest Mountain Trail

A smaller and unimposing mountain, Crest can easily be completed as a morning hike, though its true value is revealed on an overnight trip. From the ridge above the unnamed lake, sunset reveals the gorgeous north aspect of King's Peak bathed in a golden glow.